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Introduction/objectives: Alcohol consumption is associated with hyperuricemia and gout. Previous studies have indicated a role for green tea catechins in uric acid (UA) metabolism. This study aimed to elucidate the acute effect of green tea catechins in terms of enhancing urinary excretion of UA and xanthine/hypoxanthine (Xa/HX; UA precursors) after alcohol ingestion. Methods: In a randomized crossover study, ten healthy Japanese subjects consumed test meals, including a Japanese distilled spirit (Shōchū) with water (SW) or Shōchū with catechin-rich green tea (SC), each containing 20 g of alcohol. The SC contained 617 mg of catechin in total. Serum and urine UA and Xa/HX concentrations were measured. Blood samples were collected after 2.5 h, and urine samples were collected between 0 and 5 h after consuming the test meal. Results: Urine UA and Xa/HX excretions were significantly higher in the SC group than in the SW group (UA: SW, 0.45 ± 0.08; SC, 0.52 ± 0.09; Xa/HX: SW, 0.08 ± 0.04; SC, 0.16 ± 0.05 mg/kg/h). UA clearance (CUA) and fractional UA excretion (FEUA) tended to increase more in the SC group than in the SW group (CUA: SW, 7.76 ± 2.14; SC, 8.75 ± 2.23 mL/min/1.73 m2; FEUA: SW, 6.08 ± 1.36; SC, 6.64 ± 1.42%). No significant differences in serum UA and Xa/HX concentrations were observed between two groups. Conclusions: It was concluded that green tea catechins can enhance the excretion of UA and Xa/HX, even though alcohol is ingested. Trial registration number: UMIN000040076. Retrospectively registered 7 April 2020. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr%5fview.cgi?recptno=R000045687 Key Points • Green tea catechins enhance the excretion of uric acid and xanthine/hypoxanthine, even when alcohol is ingested simultaneously. • In case of non-adherence of limiting alcohol intake, catechin-rich green tea may be an effective dietary component to continue dietary therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and efficient synthesis of 8H‐benzo[e]phenanthro[1,10‐bc]silines from 2‐((2‐(arylethynyl)aryl)silyl)aryl triflates under palladium catalysis has been developed. The reaction mechanism was experimentally investigated and a catalytic cycle involving C−H/C−H coupling through a new mode of 1,4‐palladium migration with concomitant alkene stereoisomerization is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and efficient synthesis of 8H‐benzo[e]phenanthro[1,10‐bc]silines from 2‐((2‐(arylethynyl)aryl)silyl)aryl triflates under palladium catalysis has been developed. The reaction mechanism was experimentally investigated and a catalytic cycle involving C−H/C−H coupling through a new mode of 1,4‐palladium migration with concomitant alkene stereoisomerization is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methomyl ( S -methyl-1-N-[(methylcarbamoyl)oxy]thioacetimidate) is a carbamate pesticide. It has been noted that in some cases of methomyl poisoning, methomyl is either not detected or detected only in low concentrations in the blood of the victims. However, in such cases, methomyl is detected at higher concentrations in the vitreous humor than in the blood. This indicates that methomyl in the blood is possibly decomposed after death. However, the reasons for this phenomenon have been unclear. We have previously reported that methomyl is decomposed to dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the livers and kidneys of pigs but not in their blood. In addition, in the field of forensic toxicology, it is known that some compounds are decomposed or produced by internal bacteria in biological samples after death. This indicates that there is a possibility that methomyl in blood may be decomposed by bacteria after death. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate whether methomyl in blood is decomposed by bacteria isolated from human stool. Our findings demonstrated that methomyl was decomposed in human stool homogenates, resulting in the generation of DMDS. In addition, it was observed that three bacterial species isolated from the stool homogenates, Bacillus cereus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Bacillus sp., showed methomyl-decomposing activity. The results therefore indicated that one reason for the difficulty in detecting methomyl in postmortem blood from methomyl-poisoning victims is the decomposition of methomyl by internal bacteria such as B. cereus , P. aeruginosa , and Bacillus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We report CO 2 poisoning due to dry ice exposure during an open-coffin funeral wake. • An experiment was conducted to confirm the concentrations of CO 2 and O 2. • The experiment revealed that the cause of death was not asphyxia but CO 2 poisoning. • Collecting detailed death-scene information is essential for proving CO 2 poisoning. • Periodic room ventilation is recommended when using dry ice. We report the autopsy case of a male in his 60 s diagnosed with carbon dioxide (CO 2) poisoning caused by dry ice for cooling in a coffin during a funeral wake. He was last seen alive, clinging to his family member's body with his head inside the coffin. The autopsy and histological findings did not indicate a specific cause of death. To confirm the concentrations of CO 2 and oxygen (O 2) in the coffin, an experiment was conducted to reconstruct the scene. Based on the experimental results, 9 h after placing dry ice, the CO 2 concentration at the estimated closest point to his head was 24%, a lethal level for CO 2 poisoning. Contrastingly, although the concentration of O 2 had fallen, it never reached a lethal concentration at any of the determination points during the experiment, thereby ruling out asphyxia as a cause of death. Based on our findings, we concluded that the cause of his death was CO 2 poisoning. Forensic pathologists tend to overlook CO 2 poisoning unless suspected, as it does not exhibit specific autopsy findings. For the diagnosis of CO 2 poisoning, it is essential to collect detailed information about the deceased and the scene of death. The toxicity of CO 2 itself is not well known, although dry ice is widely available to the public. In order to make its risk well known, it is necessary to inform people about the dangers of using dry ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of lunches with different dietary energy densities on food preferences between genders.DesignRandomized crossover study. Participants were administered the following packed test meals once weekly on a specified day during six sessions: control (150 g of rice with a sautéed beef entrée containing 40 g of raw beef and 240 g of vegetables), high-meat/low-rice, low-vegetable, medium-fat/low-vegetable, high-fat and high-fat/low-vegetable meals. Subjective levels of sensory properties were assessed over time using visual analogue scales.SettingUniversity of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.SubjectsSixty-five men and sixty-five women matched by age and BMI.ResultsMen showed significantly stronger desires for salty and fatty foods after meals (P<0·05). Women showed a significantly stronger desire for sweetness from 2 h after the low-vegetable meal, and increasing fat content under high-vegetable conditions caused a significant stimulated sweetness desire in women more than in men (P<0·05). Moreover, after a high-meat/low-rice meal with 100 g of rice, sweetness desire was stronger in women (P=0·024), whereas no significant differences in sweetness desire were shown between genders after another low-energy-density control meal with 150 g of rice.ConclusionsMen had significantly stronger desires for salty and fatty foods, whereas women preferred sweet food after meals. The sweetness desire in women was stimulated by increasing fat content, even with a high vegetable intake. Low rice intake in a low-energy-density diet also caused a relative stimulation of sweetness desire in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 40s-year-old woman with previous history of injury due to contact with crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, was stung on the right middle finger. After immediately losing consciousness, she died 13 h after injury despite intensive medical treatment. Examination of the respiratory system revealed narrowing due to severe edema of the laryngopharynx, as well as alveolar hemorrhage, eosinophilic infiltration, and extensive neutrophil and eosinophil aggregation in the intravascular lumen of the lungs. Examination of the liver revealed severe diffuse hepatocellular necrosis and extremely high levels of liver transaminases, indicating severe liver damage. Based on these findings, we concluded that she had died from anaphylactic shock induced by circulation of crown-of-thorns starfish venom in the bloodstream. Injurious contact with the spine of the crown-of-thorns starfish can cause severe symptoms as well as systematic reactions, including anaphylaxis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of anaphylactic shock or death caused by human contact with the crown-of-thorns starfish reported in the English-language literature. Although rare, anaphylaxis due to injury by marine animals is potentially fatal. Saving lives requires providing education regarding prevention and enabling prompt response to possible anaphylaxis, including preparation of adrenaline for auto-injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The effective energy density (ED) diet model for customized meal plans has not been adequately explored, and the specific differences in appetite sensation among age groups remain unclear. Design: A randomized, crossover study was conducted in 2010 to examine the effects of lunches with different dietary EDs on sensory properties across age groups. Participants/setting: In this experiment, 276 healthy Japanese subjects aged 22 to 59 years consumed packed lunches over six sessions. Using the control meal (150 g cooked rice, sautéed beef menu containing 40 g raw beef, and 240 g vegetable) as a reference, a high-meat/low-rice meal, a low-vegetable meal, a medium-fat/low-vegetable meal, a high-fat meal, and a high-fat/low-vegetable meal were served as modified test meals with varying macronutrient distribution and ED. Main outcome measures: Subjective levels of fullness and satisfaction were assessed over time by visual analogue scale ratings. Statistical analyses performed: Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with body mass index as a covariate followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Meals with high vegetable content resulted in greater fullness and satisfaction than meals with low vegetable content, regardless of the diner’s age. Particularly among the 500-kcal low-ED meals, a high-meat meal resulted in greater fullness and satisfaction than a medium-fat/low-vegetable meal among participants aged 30 to 40 years. Postprandial fullness was significantly higher with control meal than with high-meat meal among participants aged 40 to 50 years. Conclusions: This study indicated that high vegetable content in the low-ED diet model provided sufficient fullness and satisfaction despite the low energy content and increased rice content is more effective for satiety than increased meat content for Japanese adults aged around 40 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Milk of calcium pericardial effusion is a rare and fatal condition. • Computed tomography (CT) imaging can reveal milk of calcium pericardial effusion. • Dense pericardial effusion with epicardial calcification is the CT finding. We present the postmortem computed tomography and autopsy findings of a 60-year-old man who developed milk of calcium pericardial effusion and died of constrictive epicarditis. He experienced out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest, and spontaneous circulation returned at the hospital. However, 7 h after recovery, the patient died. He had a swollen neck, had been experiencing coughing from 4 to 5 days earlier, and had no significant medical or surgical history. On computed tomography (CT), highly dense pericardial fluid (CT value: 130–150 Hounsfield units) and multiple calcifications along the epicardium and pericardium were visualized. The epicardium and pericardium were thick, hard, rough, and widely calcified with mild adhesions on autopsy. The pericardial cavity contained a pale, reddish brown, turbid, and highly viscous liquid. Bacteriological tests of pericardial fluid cultures revealed the presence of group G β-hemolytic streptococci. Hence, we diagnosed the patient's cause of death as heart failure due to constrictive epicarditis. We believe that this case of milk of calcium pericardial effusion is the first case confirmed with postmortem CT and autopsy findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]